Earth drilling mechanism



Aug.- 31', 1943. l.. L. HAzN 2,328,274

EARTH DRILLING MECHANI SM Filed June lO, 1940 4 Sheets-Shedl 1 INVENTOR.

Aug. 3l, 1943. L. L. HAzEN 2,328,274

EARTH DRILLING MECHANISM V Filed June l0, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1NVENTOR. L YJLEL. zzf/v Aug. 31, 1943. L.. L. HAzEN EARTH DRILLING MECHANISM Filed June 1Q, 1940 4 sheets-sheet 3 Aug. 3l, 1943. L. l.. HAzl-:N

EARTH DRILLING MECHANISM Filed June 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. l xszf L /AzE/v BY ArrofQ/vfy PatentedAugiSl,

` "famiiieatienrmne 10, 1940,?se'r1iairise;1339521fjufjj t' j f2 claims. (draai-iso) eMy inventionrelates to anewand useful im 4.provemizentf in" "ani-earth@ drillingmecha-nism` `,Mitipted for usefin drilling oil wells, waterwells, t mineral-prospecting holes, blast holes,ietc.

@A common type of dri-lling mechanism for these purposesis a structurewhich` isknownias the per;

i emision` ongravity` typein which a string ofltools `suspended fromitheendr'offaxcableis raised land' s their` permitted to impact against the material:

heingllgdniied lbyvfereeof gravity. To Vraise .the drilling tools J a mechanismi is provided and la eommontypenow` used is thatstructure whichris structures a "I crankrmechanismisalsoused. f

known as the beamtype. In some z "In theuseof a percussion typedrill, it isicliiesirf` `ahleigtfnatlall of the` cuttings be pulverizedmand thatno large pieces or .chunks be `broirenaway bythe drilling tools. A 'Ihe reason for .thisais that `il"isdesinable that .the cuttings be suspended in the liquid, (generallyqwater), which extends L above rthe cutting tool.A and,inwliich the cutting-,tool

reciprocates. f Inl thisfinanner `the bottomyof the hole [is kept. clear v.offcuttings. Consequently, .it ispparent that an eiiicient drilling mechanism is onewhich will constantly deliver to the sur-` Iacextobe `pulvexizeda-blow of `a ldefinite. force mi, eine@ the mechanism isioperetins by gravity "it,4 is. therefore desirablejthat the mechanism be so arranged and constructed that the drilling -tools Vshall be-raised flatk eah.,stroke3 a `predetermined amount so" that the `drop will `always be the `0r course# as the.; drilling. 012er-,

ation proceedsuequiresithat aman-leunt of i cable i corresponding .to ,the amount. of material i verizeii.Tat` thje precetiing` stroke be fed intov .the l vvell it is'an object of` the'. present {inventin 1 Provide e iehanisin le Whicliihle einer be V accomplished.`

drilling operations ths are. o`f` Asiderabie weight semetimesfweigiiingbetween ene thousand andeight thousandpounds and, under certain circumstances"..wighing'l fccj nsiderabls7 IIzo creased 'emciency incineration would be obtained as), under such ciicum'stai'ices,` the` lifting grnecha nism 3 would haver toilift" the tools' alessV distance; Itisanvob'iectiof `thepii'eiient invention toprovide `a drilling 'mechanism lin hichithisbecomes pos-` S1b1e f The'fserekevefthefariiiingltoeiemay,effeeuree,

be` varied under different conditions depending upon( the type offtools fand, particularly, de-

pending `upon the: `nature cr'thefearth through through' earth or soitfrock',.aJlongenstroke would be .advisable than when .going thrbughtznard rock. Consequently, a .drillingir'nechanism .tof be elcient should be provided with :meansxwhereby the i `length of theLstrokefmayzbe =quickly andxeasily l adjusted Within'thelimitsaoftheimechanismand it isan objectv of thenpresentinvention `.toprovde a mechanism inwhichthisamaybeaccomplished lwithoutfinterrupting ethexdrillmg operation.

Anetheredvantageeue afeature which :an kein` l cient drilling mechanism should .possess would. be

footage of drillingper-ghour-rnay beobtained while, atthefsame time-jaccurate-control of the stroke for operations other than drilling opera- .tiene SCh'eS fis/hina?fPerQuSSiQn-cpre driilins,

under-reamingj? etc.,`may Vloe vpresentr K Another object oi' theqinvention-"isthe provision of a drilling mechanism so arranged and constructedthat an adjustabieiength of *stroke` may Y be eected While the machine is in operation.

drilling mechanisms as now jconstructedfthefrehmmm-ie considerably-'i111advance 'of thejiiftmg strokejof the eabie'witntne esuli mettiti-excels when 'engaged "thejj'cablfefin` its lii'ting move- :ment are againmovin'gdownwardlyllltis be-A neveu immun:irinegdnuingmechanism,

li! s `e Just as the toolsjreach thevupvvard maximum movement res fromtherebound ationV and anJirilA Y* `Another object .of .theinvention is the provision of a mechanism whereby the length of` the stroke may be varied, `the speed. oi.; thestroke maybe' variedand theltools may'hel'ftedf and'allovved to, drop free or liftedwand allowed to drop'un'delv controL u A Another object of the invention `is the provision of-a ldrillingmechanismfwhereby the length -of the stroke may be varied and itslspeed variedfso that lat different. stroke` lengthsfa variation. in speed may be obtained within themaximum speed 9i movement of nthe mechanism. In aqdrilling mechanism Where the tools are notpermitted: to rest `.idly uponfthe bottom ,between strokes the length of "the stroke.isfdetermined. by thefdistance of rocking oflgthe end of the beam andthe frequeneyof'the etrokeiisaise:determined by the i frequency of the rocking'oi the beam. Insuch a f taken on line lli-lll of Fig. 1,

, Another objectof Ithe invention is the provi-` is intended that 'such variations and modications of the detail of structure illustrated 'shall be eme braced in the claims attached hereto.

Formingy a part of this application `are drawings, inwhich, v

Fig. l is a side elevational view'oi theinven.

tion showing parts broken away,` A

Fig. 2 is a front elevational View of the'invention, I l

Fig. y3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 Fig. 4 is a 4sectional viewtaken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2,y Fig. 5 isa sectional view taken on line of Fig. 2,

' Fig.6 is a fragmentary side elevational. View of the invention from the side opposite to Fig. 1,

Fig. '7 is a view taken on-line 1--1 of Fig. 6

slightly enlarged, v, Fig 8 is a sectional view slightly enlarged: taken on line 8--8 of Fig?, l l f Fig. 9 is aifragmentary sectional view taken on line 9--9 of Fig. '7, v

Fig. 10 is a sectional View slightly enlarged Fig. 1l is a fragmentary side elevational View taken on line II-l-,Hl ofFig. 2,` y

type of mechanism, the stroke may be shortened Fig. 12 is a sectionalview taken on line l2f-I2 by feeding in additional cable under which cirof Fig. 10, f

cumstances the tools will lie idly upon the bct- Fig. 13 is a sectional View taken on line l3--I3 tom between strokes. Bui-it will be noted, that of Fig. 10,

' regardless vof the length of the stroke in such a 5 Fig. le is a fragmentary sectional view slightly mechanism, theV number of strokes per minute enlarged taken on line I4--I4 of Fig. 6, remains the same and at each strokethere is a Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken violet jerk transmitted to the drilling tools with on line I5-l5 of Fig. 6. e'COnseqU-ent ywearing particularly on the drilling In the drawings I have illustrated the invenjars. The presentmechanism avoids this jerk- 10 tion .mounted Von a vehic1e,fsuch as a truck or ,ing O-f the tOOlS and vInekeS il? Possible, UDEUR. e thel like, havingoppositely disposed chassis rails shortening of the stroke, to increase the speed or supporting bars 21 and 28 which project rear- 1 of the stroke withv a resultant increased numb-er wardly of the rear wheels 29 of the truck. These Of Strokes Del' minute and a consequent inCreeSed chassis rails are connected by suitable cross bars eileieney in the drilling operation l i152@ to provide a suitable yframework on which the Another feature of the invention is `the ,fact= mechanism is mounted, Mounted on and pro-v that the stroke may be lowered as the drilling" jecung upwardiy from these chassis raus 2i and proceeds even'withashortened speeded-upstroke 1 2a are the' ,supporting plates s2 and as. Posi- WithOut in any manner interfering With the epeltioned between the plates 32 and 33 and nxedly ation Of the mechanism. 20 mounted on the shaft 35 isa sand reel 36 having Another Object of the invention is the prOViSiOn the end nanges 31. The shaft 35 projects through O a mechanism whereby the Speed 0f ilflereethe'plates 32 and 33 4andis journalled at its opino-. ine 01"k the lowering 0f 'vile '0001s may be regulated site ends m bearings as and 39 'which are carried iufm@dillsiimenil-vv This iS pertcule'ydesable bythe arms 40 and 4|, respectively, which are When, fishing and aVOdS the breaking 0f the 25 secured at one of their ends to `the shaft k42 and .hold 01'1 the '130015. shed for because fof'a projected upwardly ,therefrom diagonally. YThe down stroke whi'chjis 0f vgreater length than it arms 40 and.` 4l are keyed to the shaft 42,`this should be. 1 I shaft 42 projecting throughrbearings 44 which AnOiiner Object of the invention is the prOV'SiOrl are mounted on the plates 32 and 33, theA shaft eind-filling mechanism in which maximum ei- 30 42-being rockable in its bearings. Thea'plates 3-2Y ciency may be maintained, regardless of the` type and 33 are `provided with elongated slots-45 0f material in Which the drill is proceeding, it through which the shaft 35 projects so that when beine possible t0 regulatethe Stroke endfspeed the shaft 42 is rocked on its axis the sand ree1 thereof in accordance with the density or nature 36 may be swung 0n anarc, j Fixedly mounted of the material drilled'.` 'f f .35 onone end of .the shaft 35 isv a1 pulley"41.fls0

arranged that when lthe shaft 42 isarocked in one direction yso as to Swing thesand rail down'f wardly, the pulley/.54.1v will' engage the periphery of the truck Wheel 2S andwhen swung inthe opposite direction,'the pulley 41 would engage, at its periphery, a'brake band 48 supportedfby the armen `This arm 49is secured at one of its ends to the Vshaft Mand at its voppositeend to a stud 5l projecting outwardly from fone end" of the arm 4|. i

'Mounted on the rails 2i and mand 'projecting upwardly therefrom are the spaced plates 52 and 50 projecting throughthe bushings 56. Secured.

to these plates 52 and 53 Aare the tubular members 51 and 58 rwhich forma mast'frameand per end of the' cylinder 6l).

which are provided at their lower ends with the connecting plate 59 which rserves'as a base and which, when the structure is'in .operative position, rests uponthe ground and "serves to sup,- port the structureraising the wheels 29 of the truck free of the ground as shown in Fig. 2 and in Fig. 5.' `The pipesr 51 and 58 also project through a connecting 'plate 6l which is welded or :otherwise suitably attached lto these pipes. VA cylinder 60 also Vlxrojectsthrough the plate 5! which is secured tothe upper end of the cylinder 60. A plate v62 through which thepipes 51 `and 58 project and to which they are welded'or other, Wise suitablyV secured is also attached` to the'up- Y Slidably mounted in the cylinder 65 is a pistn 63fconnected to which isa piston {ro'd 64 which -Luheave "supporting plates 14. 3 serves as apivotforth fsheave wheelf15 andthe fsheavewheel. 16 is rotatablymountedon--thelshaft f will, the pulleys 15 and16beingpositionedbetween `eine sheave plates .14. Carried on the outer fend f poi-tinge.plates` 86: `and s 81.` vvided with ai base yilit'ihaving the l depending plates Mzandl; `Thesep1ates1'80fandlll `are connected .to the plates `80 and lbymeans of rods which f'a 'spudding carriage which is provided with thesldelwallsl'andli connected to the'guide Y -sndepmte se whichis provided want-ne w shaped plate adapted for the reception of the angle treasury-shaped@ guide :rib `rl which is'iiidly *u* Th 'Walls 66 andrai areiextenuedfoutwardly asiat unto provide a spaced apartlsupporting structure through y which is extended the shaft 118 .bn which is pivotally mounted atfonefendithe l The' sli'ai'tnl` `.also

offthe sheave'lplates 14 by fmeanswof the shaft v18..1s.an id1erpul1ey18; `The sheave plates 14 `wie.-"conr'iected together by theiUI-shaped structure :embodying the base .80 "andthe `side wallsfsl fand f y845 .-iswrelnforced the reinforcing ruf." rubber ofmother suitable yieldable material c -whlch"serves-as1a.shock absorber. `A plate Y85 .rests luponthelf` rubber and serves asa `contact "member-against which thelplate 80 may engage.

The construction is such'` that upon an upward `the "sheave wheelsl and 1.6 slides.` upwardly. Upon `a ,downwardmovement of i .the}piston, this -`carriage slides downwardlyinresponse to gravity. *.clldountedpn` the pipe sections 51 and 58; adja- :ntw theiiupper :ends thereof;l are; the .mast "sup- A. mast 88 is pro- :are projectedtherethrough and also through ".spacingcollars 83-`and 84. `The constructionis wsuchllthatupon removing one :of the'rods` Mythe mast 88 r may.. be` swung on the remaining `rodf82 a :pivot andbr'ought into' a .positionr to Aextend Iparallel to and substantially in lengagement with theY structure embodying the pipes `51 and 58.

. tGarriedorrthe upper` endof the 'mast 88 is a i. 85onwhich`is .rotatably mounted thesand `tllriefsheave 86` and acaslng fline sheave 81.1 `The drill: ,cable 88 extends; into the 1 well opening 88 Jrstpassing overthe sheaves 15 and 1|i,` the cable .beingded lover the sheave. 15 from the drilling cablefreel; which isI iixedly `mounted on the vshaft l0 l. .This reelcomprises a winding drumhaving i the windingsections |02and |03 spaced apart by dividing vdiscs |04 and |05, `the latter of which is provided with the notch |06 extending "winwardly from its periphery. These dividing discs nml-and |85 are spaced apart'by the.. collar |01 which has the spiral groove |08 Vformed in; its Vimeriphery. f. The'ireel `is `provided with, the vend "fiiangesl and ||0. l v fiThe .shaft |0| is journalled in thebearings f |26 `(see Fig. 2).` .The sprocket chain `I |1 is driven movement of the piston 83,` the carriage carrying rihszaananresung upon these ribs isl a merita` 4mounted. fon 4the end Lof .the .housing :1:13. i `housing ||3 carries lonritsnouterface abraldng mechanism embodyingthe ybralre .shoe |20 r(see.

Fig. 8) having brake lining 1| 2| mounted thereon iadapted "dor engaging lthe v.periphery of a" brake drum |22 which ls..formed integralzwi'th ithe This brake is rocked to `operative and inopera- "tiveposition by rocking the crank |23` whichpex- .tends angularlyl `to the rod |124 of whicirit is .a

part, this rod |24'being..journal1ed at |25 yand bysprocket` gear |211A which is mounted upon .fa clutchsection[|28` which is loosely mounted on .theshaft |28, this shaft |28.` beingthegdriven lshaft of the truck or other vehicle. 'Mounted xedly onthe vprojecting er'id ofnthe' shaftif|28 is thecooperating c1utch`sectiori- |30 .(seerFig..7), whichwmaybe shifted axially of the` shaft |28 `into operative and inoperative position .by` means of-` the rockable lever |3|, this leverbeing .con-

nectedbytheipivot |32 tothe army I 33 which pro,- `jects outwardlylfrom the chassisrail `21.

The shaft, |28 provided'` on its opposite end with a sprocket wheel `|34 whichuservesrto drive .the i. sprocket chain |35y ,passing `around .the

sprocket wheel |36iwhich isdfixedly mounted on `Mounted on and rotatablexin `unison the shaftI |0| is a brake drumlil,` around'` which Vpasses theV brake band |38` This brake bandm|38 4passes arounda crank |38 carried by a bushing |40 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 5|) cranklmaybe rockedltobring the brake:band.|3,8

l into frictional engagementwith the fbrake drum randy` ||2which are secured to the plates 52 1and qui. `ll'hebearing `||2 is enclosed in3the Vhousing 4'i'iieshaft` loi passes through Vthema -m which 4isflposely` mounted thereon. the shaft =|0|being The,shaft58 may be rocked byimeans, .offthe levert|42 which `is connectedto a `crank 1|48projecting outwardly' from the shaft `58. This shaft `:is alsoprovidedwith a `crank |44 connected `by thelink |45 tothegarm 4| whereby atsandreel may be rocked as previously described.

`In addition to theibrake band |38, there isvfalso .provided an internal brake mechanismfcr controlling the rotation of the' cable reel. ThisY internal brake mechanism consists ofia pair of ibrake shoes |46.and |41 within the brake drum |31, pistons |48 and |48 slidingina cylinder |50 which is in communication Witha suitable source of fluid :under pressure andl provided `for `rocking the shoes intobraking position, the spring @ISI moving'the shoe to non-braking position.`

. In the operation of `the mechanism,` the piston 63 is driven upwardly by iluid pressure which may be compressed air or liquid under pressure so that the device mayabe either hydraulically oripneumatically` operated. Inthe drawings I have f shown a, pipe |52 communicating with the cylinder'60 adjacent the bottom thereof. The upper `end of the cylinder, While closed, is not air tight so that airmay `bleed therefrom. The pipe` |52 leads through a speed `control valve |53 toa valve housing |54; i This valve housing has an exhaust opening |55 formedtherein. Where `the device is` pneumatically operatedthis passage |55 would communicate with the` atmosphere` and where; it

is hydraulically operated, a suitable piping would leadfrom` the passage |55. The pipe |52con municates with the chamber |56 which may be termed a `common chamber inasmuch as the ex-` haust is led into this chamber and, likewise, the iluid under pressure is led into this` chamber.

.A delivery pipe |51 communicates with a passage `|58 formed in the housing |54.. The passage 1| 58 'is provided with a control valve |59 which con.- trols its communicationiwith the common'chamber |56. The communicationjofthe exhaust pas- *sage |55 with the. common chamber |55 isalso -controlled by a control valve 160. `These valves are ofthe poppet type and are 'normally held in closing position by the springs llil. .Theiivalves areoperated by cams .|6 2 and IBSwhichare car- `riecl by. and project fromY theiunder face of'a disc |64 rotatable in' unison with the' cover housing |65, this cover :housingrotating Aabout ,a ,shaft |66 as an axis. rThe. cover housingisi provided with a plate H51 projecting upwardlyirorn which is a riiat faced boss ll'on which ispositioned a f camdisclfid. having a notch or recess, the Walls :of which denne the cam surfaces |10 and |11! `adapted for engagement with opposite sides: of

the rocker arm |12. The drawings show in dotted lines the dierentgpositions in-'whioh the diso' 16.9 is moved by the rock'erarm |12.. Thisrocker arm is secured at one end to a shaftll which is journalled in afsleeve |1ll`projectingl outwardly from the supportingblock |115. Rotatably mountedon the shalt |13 is a sprocket wheel W6 projecting outwardly from one face of which, adjacent the periphery thereof, is an engagementpin |11 which is adapted upon rotation of the wheel |16 for engaging an arm |18 which is rotatably mounted at one of its ends on -the shaft |13 vand which is angul arly turned at the opposite end and doubled upon itself to provide the retaining portion |19` `in which is mounted the slidable plunger |80 normally held bythe'spring i3 .which bears against the collar |82 pressed downwardly'so as to pro.-

ject through an opening |83 formed in th'e disc |84, this disc |84 being xedly mounted on the shaft |13. j l

Thisfdisc |34'is provided with a peripheral row of openings |33 which are in spaced relation to each other.. An arm |18 which is formed similar to the arm |18 is also rotatably mounted on the shaft |13 and provided with a plunger it in the supporting angularly turned portion Iii.' The sprocket wheel HS is driven by a sprocket chain |85'(see Fig. l), which passes around a sprocket |83 rotatably mounted on a stud |81 projecting outwardly from the pipe 53. Projecting outwardly Vfrom the wall 66 of the. carriage is a stud .c |88 which is'connected to the sprocket chain |85 y Vso that as the carriage moves upwardly and downi wardly, oneside of the sprocket chainis carried with it causing the idler sprocket I to rotate and also effect a rotation of the sprocket Vit.

The construction is such that when the piston is moved upwardly'z'and the carriage is moved upwardly, the sprocket chain will be forced to travel so as `to, move the idler sprocket |35 clockwise as in the View shown in Fig. 1. ThisY 'will move the sprocketwheel |13 clockwise and when the stud i11 engages the arm |13, the disc |34 will cause the shaft |13 to rotate. The arm |12 will cause the cani disc It to rotate so that the cam H23, on' the disc lf3/ will move out of engagementwith the stein of the valve E59 and ,permit it to close while at the saine time the cam 92 will move into engagement withthe stern ofthe valve ISS and force it into open position thus permitting the fluid to exhaust fromthe cylinder. When this fluid is exhausting from the cylinder, the carriage and piston willslide downwardiy ycausing the sprocket wheels |85 and l1 to rotate counter-clockwise. When the movement has continued sufficiently, since the sprocket wheel |16 is rotating reversely,.the stud E 11 will be brought into engagement with the' arm |13,'consequently,

yto closed fposition andY the delivery' valve will be opened.

. -By. adjusting thewarms |18 and |18 rotatively about their axis, thelengthfof stroke of the piston vmay be regulated. For instance, if the arms |18 and '|185 are moved intoV aposition where lthey are substantially in engagement with veach other so that the stud |11, in traveling out of engagement with the arm |18 into engagement with the arm |18 would have tok almost complete a revolution, it is obvious that thev maximum stroke is thus provided. ,By rotating the arm |18' so as to causethestud |11 to engage it when it has completed but apart of'a revolution on the reverse movement, the distance that the pistonfwould have moved `downwardly in responsel to rgravity would be considerably less thanvvheny a larger revolution would be necessaryl for this engagement. rThe downward travel ofy the piston, undersuch circumstances, would l be one-half of the downward movement of the tools so that there is thusa means for regulating the length of stroke of -tfhe'tools. ',.Similarly, the upward travel Vof the pistony is one-half the upward travel of thetools and'by adjusting the relative position of the .arm |18 about Vits axis, the upward travel may be controlled.

.It is believed obvious that while the mechanism is in operation the plungers |86 or |80' may be drawn outwardly and the Yarms^|18 or |18 rotated about their axis to'a new position relatively to the disc |84. Thus, it becomes possible to vary the length of the stroke and the speed of the reciprocationiwhile the mechanism is in operation. The distance between the arms 18 and |18 will determine'the length of the stroke and, consequently, the speed of the stroke. The position of the arms |18 and |18 relatively to the disc |84 will determine the position of the stroke, that is, that part of the cylinder in which the piston will reciprocate with such .anv adjustment.

The speed of travel of the 'piston under the power stroke is, of. course,Y 'determined bythe volume or flow of 'fluid' under Apressure intothe cylinder. IThe speed of travel of the piston "on the reverse stroke is determined largely by'the volume of flow of the exhaust from the cylinder. This is regulated manually by .the operator, as desired, by manual operation of the valve |53 as shown Adiagrammatically in Fig. 12; In operation, the adjustment of the arms H0-and |18 is so made that when the tools strike the bottom, the exhaust valve is closed and the delivery valve opened so that as the tools start upon the rebound the piston itself is starting up. In this .'manner, the rebound of the toolsis not checked ing carriage slidaloly mounted between said guide members; a vertically directed cylinder extend-- ing 4between' said standards;- a piston` slidably lmounted in saidcylinder;` a piston'rod vprojectthe shaft` |13 will be reversely rotated'and` effect I a reverse rotation ofthe disc |64 on which the ing upwardly from `said piston and outwardly of said cylinder; means for connecting said piston rod to said carriage; means for delivering i iluid under pressure into said cylinder below said i position; and means movable in unison with p `said carriage for actuating said sprocket mechamism.

2. In a well drilling mechanism of the class dei scribed, a vertically extending cylinder; ra piston slidably mounted in said cylinder; a piston rod vrconnected to said piston and projected upwardly outwardly from said cylinder; a pair of spaced apart, vertically directed standards; an elevatingy carriage slidably mounted between said standards; means for connecting said carriage to said piston rod; a pair of spaced apart sheave wheels carried by rsaid carriage; a stationary member; a cable secured at one end to said stationary member and passed over said sheave Wheels; a control valve for controlling the delivery of uid into said cylinder and draining of uid therefrom, and movable to delivery position and drain position; a rotatable cam mechanism for operating said control valve; means for rotating said cam mechanism; and means associated with said carriage for actuating said rotating means.

` LYSLE L. HAZEN. 

